Hewlett Packard Development Company LP’s US$2.7 billion offer to acquire 3Com Corp. is the latest in a series of mergers that could directly affect network managers.

HP already makes switches through its ProCurve division, and wants to get higher end core switches, plus intrusion prevention systems, by acquiring 3Com. The move comes on the heels of Cisco Systems Inc.’s offer to buy Tandberg SA, and Avaya Inc.’s bid for the enterprise assets of 3Com.